Food Halls

Next-Gen Food Courts

Food hall projects in the U.S. experienced nearly 70 percent growth from 2015 to 2017, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. More than gourmet food courts, the latest culinary emporiums feature on-site cooking studios, coffee bars, and breweries, and we’ll see more of these spaces helmed by a single chef in the coming year. Here, a strategy for all-day dining at three of the most ambitious newcomers.

BY JEN MURPHY — Summer 2018

Isabella Eatery

McLean, Va.

Top Chef finalist and D.C.-area restaurateur Mike Isabella showcases his greatest hits at this 41,000-square-foot food court on the top floor of Tysons Galleria shopping mall. Nine dining options include offshoots of his popular concepts such as Yona sushi bar and Spanish restaurant Arroz, in addition to Isabella’s first coffee bar, ice cream parlor, and cocktail spot. isabellaeatery.com

10 a.m. Nonfiction CoffeeOrder: Coffee made from artisanal beans from Kenya and a kouign-amann, a French croissant on steroids

La Centrale

Miami

The next best thing to visiting Italy is shopping and dining at this three-floor, 40,084-square-foot Italian food hall at the shops at Brickell City Centre. You can purchase all of the ingredients featured in the 14 eateries, from homemade mozzarella to house-cured salumi, in the on-site Mercato. Brush up on your pasta-making at the cooking studio. lacentralemiami.com

Legacy Hall

Plano, Texas

One year in the making, this behemoth three-floor, 55,000-square-foot food mecca in the Dallas suburb of Plano boasts 20-plus food stalls hawking everything from gourmet doughnuts and bao (steamed buns filled with meat) to poke and lobster rolls. You’ll also find six bars, as well as an on-site craft brewery and taproom. legacyfoodhall.com